by Pastor Cecil | Mar 17, 2021 | Philippians
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
There is counterfeit meditation in the world today that opens the mind to evil forces which deny that Christ came in the flesh and paid the price for our sins. Paul is writing about meditation that is of the Lord and uses His Word as our source.
I think it is safe to say that we all meditate on things (although I sometimes wonder if some people even pause to think about anything.) Our thought life may be hidden to those around us, but the Lord knows our thoughts completely.
You may have heard of GIGO. It stands for garbage in garbage out. Think about that for a bit and ask yourself what you are filling your mind with. Are your spending time in the Word of God and allowing it to renew you?
Look at the list of things Philippians 4:8 give us to ponder: true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. Wow! It is time to evaluate what we have been pondering in our free moments. TAKE CONTROL OF MY MIND DEAR LORD!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 23, 2021 | Philippians
Philippians 3:12
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”
When God’s Word says our sins are forgiven, does that mean we are free, or does He still hold them against us? We might say that we are set free, but do we actually walk away from our sinful past and have victory in our lives? The Lord wants us to be free from the sins of our past once they are confessed. Satan wants to continually dredge up the dregs of our past and accuse us. Trust God!
In the second chapter of Joshua we read that the two spies were saved by the action of a prostitute named Rahab. She was confident that God had given the land to Israel and the whole land was in fear of them. She asked that when they took the land that she and her family might be spared.
Rahab put her confidence in the men who her people considered enemies. The result of her confidence was the salvation of her entire family and the added blessing that she ended up in the human lineage of Jesus.
Sometimes we may feel that the obstacles of life are just too much for us. That may be true, but those same obstacles are nothing to God. He is only interested in our confident trust. We may not be finished with the life the Lord has given us to live, but there are exciting days ahead for us!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Feb 9, 2021 | Philippians
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
It seems that all too often we have replaced excellence with convenience. We tend to get by with the least amount of effort, time, or cost. As a result we fail to encounter excellence. We surely can think of examples in the human family, but why spend the time trying to think of illustrations from mankind when we can use the life of Jesus Christ as the epitome of excellence and also One who is praiseworthy.
It is possible to cut directly to the bottom line in this passage and see where Paul is pointing his attention. It is in the section set off by the hyphens. Two words stand out here that should grab our attention: VIRTUOUS and PRAISEWORTHY.
We need to see in Jesus the living example of One who was always worthy of a good report. He stood head and shoulders above everyone who has ever lived. He demonstrated virtue wherever He went. Everything He did was praiseworthy — His parables as well as His actions. He will always be worthy of our thought life as we meditate upon Him and the life He lived. What are you thinking?!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 1, 2021 | Philippians
Philippians 3:13-14
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
I have often commented that I am better at forgetting than I am at remembering. That was never a good thing when I was preparing for an exam in school. I still am amazed that I was able to earn a Master’s Degree from Central Missouri State University! Go figure!
The Apostle Paul gives us good advice as we look forward to 2021. Do not let the chaos and confusion that has marked a majority of 2020 destroy the work the Lord has for us to accomplish in the days which lie ahead.
The beginning of a new year is a wonderful time to commit ourselves to spend more quality time with the Lord in Bible study and prayer. If you have never done so, it would be worth your while to establish a plan to read through the Bible in 2021. Many plans are available on line.
My prayer for each of you is to draw closer to the Lord as the time approaches of His return. What a day of rejoicing we have to look forward to!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 6, 2020 | Philippians
Philippians 4:4-6
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
William Walford did not allow the fact that he was blind limit his service for his Lord. He was frequently called upon to preach in a small country church. He composed the sermons in his head and also was able to quote large portions of Scripture from memory. Some people thought he had memorized the entire Bible. He also composed verses as the Lord laid the words upon his heart. Above all—he was a man of prayer.
In the mid 1800(s), Thomas Salmon was visiting in England and became acquainted with Pastor Walford. As they were visiting one day the blind pastor quoted a few pieces he had composed. Since he had no one to write them down he had kept them treasured in the storehouse of his mind.
One of the verses he related to Mr. Salmon was, Sweet Hour of Prayer. Mr. Salmon eagerly scribbled the words down on a scrap of paper. When he returned to New York he sent the verses to the Observer and asked if they thought them worth preserving. The Observer did think them worthy and published them on September 13, 1845. The music was added by William Bradbury in 1861.
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne, make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief; and oft escaped the tempter’s snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share, of those whose anxious spirits burn, with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place, where God my Savior shows His face, and gladly take my station there, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear to Him whose truth and faithfulness, engage the waiting soul to bless. And since He bids me seek His face, believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share, till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight: This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise, to seize the everlasting prize; and shout, while passing through the air, Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!
To access Sweet Hour of Prayer, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/sweethourofprayer/
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 26, 2020 | Philippians
Philippians 4:12-13
“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
The Greek word for abound is perisseuō. In part, it means to exceed with more than what is expected — having far more than what was anticipated. The opposite of our English word abound is the word abased, which in the Greek is tapeinoō. It means to humiliate and bring down. In layman’s language it means to hit the bottom of the barrel.
As believers we far too often rate things in a physical manner. We equate abounding as having prosperity and ease of living. It is safe to say that many believers think that they should have a life of prosperity if they do the will of God. Paul would not agree. He had experienced both being down and being up!
As you evaluate your service to the Lord, I pray that you will consider that God wants us to abound in doing the work that He places in our hands to perform. Do everything with gusto and enthusiasm. Abound in His grace and mercy and allow Him to receive the glory.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
